NAIROBI, Kenya, October 20 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered an Shs 25 billion economic stimulus plan which will be spread across the Health, Education, and Agricultural sectors with the Kazi Mtaani program receiving the highest chunk at Sh 10 billion.
In his speech during the Mashujaa Celebrations held in Kirinyaga county, Kenyatta said the funds will be channeled towards initiatives that will complement ongoing state interventions that are expected to sustain the momentum of the recovery of the economy.
As part of the stimulus plan, he directed the National Treasury to channel Sh 8 billion towards the Education sector to cater for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)Infrastructure Expansion Programme.
“To ensure we adequately prepare the nation for the next phase of CBC which is the junior high school and to further facilitate the 100 percent transition of Primary to Secondary school. The Ministries of Education, Interior Coordination and Treasury should jointly create a framework for building of 10,000 classrooms needed to provide additional learning space,” Kenyatta ordered.
Another Shs 3.2 Billion was set aside for immediate construction of additional 50 New Level 3 Hospitals, to be situated in non-covered areas and densely populated areas across the country.
“To enhance access to medical coverage across our nation, and as part of our Universal Health Coverage programme, I direct the Ministry of Health to establish an additional 50 New Level 3 Hospitals,” he added.
He directed the National Treasury to set aside Shs 1.5 billion in support of the communities affected by the ongoing drought in the Arid and Semi-Arid counties.
At the same time, he ordered the Agriculture and CS Ukur Yattani-led ministries to ” issue within seven days, a framework that will facilitate the reduction of the cost of animal and chicken feeds.”
“I direct the National Treasury to allocate Shs 1.5 Billion in support of the communities affected by the ongoing drought in the ASAL counties as part of our National Livestock Offtake Programme,” he added
The tea and coffee sectors were allocated Sh 1 billion each while the sugar and livestock sectors were allocated Shs 1. 5 billion each.
The funds will be appropriated towards the completion of the ongoing targeted interventions in the Coffee Sub-Sector and support of fertilizer subsidy for our Tea Farmers.
“I direct the National Treasury to allocate an additional Shs 1.5 Billion in aid of the sugar sector, which will be appropriated towards factories maintenance and payment of farmer’s arrears,” he added.